The true northerner. [volume] (Paw Paw, Mich.) 1855-1920, 1887-03-02
POLITICAL.

Kansas Legislature and received the Gov
ernor's signature. The county was first
named for the Prohibitionist leader.
The Illinois Senate passed resolu-
ton declaring it to be the duty of the General
Assembly to see that the terms of the convict
labor amendment be carried out by proper
legislation.
The Wisconsin Senate adopted a
resolution to submit constitutional amend
ment prohibiting contracts for convict labor.
The Judiciary Committee of the
Pennsylvania House of Representatives has
favorably reported bill proposing an i'm
portant change in the jury laws of that State
by legalizing two-thirds verdict In other
words, verdict can be found whenever eight
OF the twelve men in the box agree upon con-
vcton or acquittal Under such a law as this
hung juries would soon become unknown,
and the schemes of shysters to run in a crooked
man on jury would be thwarted.
In the Lieutenant Governorship case,
the Supreme Court of Indiana rendered de-
cision, on the 23d of February, refusing an
injunction against Robertson for want of jur-
isdiction, and declaring that the General As
sembly has control of the matter. The opin-
ion of the court, in which all the judges con-
cur, was written by Chief Justice Elliott
and it holds that the Circuit Court had no
jurisdiction of the person of Robertson, and
no Jurisdiction to issue the order of injunc-
ton. Separate opinions were formed by each
of the Judges. Judge Niblack holds that ex-
elusive authority over the contest is vested in
the General Assembly, and that the courts
have no jurisdiction. Chief Justice Elliott
fully concurs in this opinion, but Judge Mitch
ell, in very long opinion, holds that
the courts have jurisdiction over the sub
ject-matter of the controversy and that there
was no vacancy in the Office of Lieutenant
Governor Judge Howk agrees with Judge
Mitchell Judge Collars, in very elaborate
opinion, holds that the courts have no jurs-
dction of the action, but does not entirely con-
cur in the reasoning of JUICES Niblack and
Elliott The news of the decision, says an
Indianapolis dispatch, spread rapidly, and
caused no little excitement in the city.
Speaker Sayre announced TO the House of
Representatives the courts rulings. Senator De-
motto, in the Senate, quietly informed President
Smith that the decision had been rendered, eX-
hibitng to him "a certificate from the Clerk OF
the Supreme Court stating the facts. he nOtl-
fed Smith that demand would forthwith be
made by the Republicans for possession OF the
office. motion to adjourn tho Senate was
made and declared carried. Soon after adiour
ment had been declared Senator Houston arose
excitedly, exclaiming that Presiding Officer
Smith was usurper, scoundrel ana a
preuender. Denote, whose seat is in the rear,
rushed forward denouncing Smith as "A liar
and - - coward. Senator Kennedy fol-
lowed the example Of the others. Smith
laughed at them. and held his temper. The
House passed a resolution practically stopping
all legislation. In effect IL says that the House
will not recognize the Senate any longer unless
it acknowledges the validity OF kobertsons
election and allows him quietly to preside over
tie Senate. The Democratic Senators met in
caucus. Gov. Gray United states Senator -elect
Turpie, and other prominent Democrats were III
consultation with them. The decision was to
hold the fort on the following grounds: That
the decision OF the Supreme Court to-day loft
the question just where 10 was at the beg ginning
of the session that Justice Niblack, in MS de-
cision, gives the opinion that the Constitution
does not positively mako the Lieutenant Gov,
ernor the presiding officer Of the Senate. and
that that body may select any Senator
fer that Office. The Democrats, therefore,
propose to stand by , senator ,S nd,o5 smith NTH
declared that no vacancy existed in the office OF
Lieutenant Governor, and that the others made
no deliverance ON that point Also that the
lieutenant Governor was Illegal because the
Senate at the time having adjourned, was not
officially present, although the Republican
Senators participated The Republicans at Il
secret conference resolved 20 stand by Robert
son ana seat him at all hazards.
r. S. Robertson, recently elected
Lieutenant Governor of IndaI a, made an at
tempt to take thu chair in the senate, on
Thursday, but was kept back by doorkeeper.
Senator Green Smith sustained the point of
order that none but members could take up
the time of the body, and caused the door
l. 30 D,ls H.
Der The crowd saw Robinson come out
and there was great excitement He
mounted tho steps and made
a speech, recting what had transpired in the
chamber and cautioned the people to do moth
ing that would infringe the peace or dignity
of the State, or that they would regret in
cooler moments During the excitement
about the Senate doors three of the Senators
attempted TO enter and had difficulty. Senator
Johnson, of Wayne, denounced the door
keepers, and during the melee a number of
persons from the inside approached the
door, among them Senator Mcdonald, who
put up his hands. Johnson interpreted 1t as
an attempt to thrust hun back, and struck the
Senator in the face. Senator Denote was or
dered into his seat, and when the Sergeant-at-
arms put him down threw him TO the floor.
The Republican Senator'S started to follow
Robertson out of the chamber, but were not
permitted TO leave. The House refused to re-
ceive message from the Senate, and the door
keepers were instructed not to admit the
Secretary OF the Senate until Robertson
was installed as presiding officer of that body.
The Michigan Prohibition State Convention
met at lansing, with $50 delegates, and made
these nominations: For Supreme Court Jus
tees, Lemuel Chute of Icnia and Noah w
Cheever of Washtenaw; for University Re
gents David Preston of Detroit and Amherst
b. Cheney of Kent The platform calls upon
all to rally TO support the amendment TO the
Constitution prohibiting the liquor traffic
Col. Robertson was refused admit
lance to the Indiana Senate Chamber, when
he presented himself at the door on the 18th
nit Counsel for Green Smith filed petition
for the rehearing of the injunction case A
resolution was adopted 10 investigate the con-
duct of Senator Johnson, charged with strik-
ing Senator Mcdonald during the melee of the
previous day. Senator Mcdonald made
a speech, in which, referring TO the
trouble between him and Senator John
son, he said that nobody would have